Belmont beats SIU-Edwardsville to remain perfect in OVC play

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Evan Bradds had 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting, Nick Smith scored 22, including four 3-pointers, and Belmont beat SIU-Edwardsville 92-69 Monday night to extend its win streak to 12 games.

Taylor Barnette added 19 points, six rebounds and six assists, Amanze Egekeze scored 12 and Kevin McClain 10 for Belmont (16-4, 10-0 Ohio Valley Conference).

Barnette hit a 3 to cap an 8-0 run and give the Bruins their first lead, 10-7, with 15:28 left in the half. Burak Eslik answered with a layup, but Smith hit a 3 and then a layup and Belmont pulled away from there. Two free throws by Barnette made it 43-29 at halftime and the Cougars trailed by at least 12 throughout the second half.

Eslik had 18 points while Christian Ellis and Jalen Henry scored 16 apiece for SIUE (5-19, 0-10), which has lost 16 of 17 and hasn't beaten a Division-I opponent since a 76-64 win at Grand Canyon on Nov. 28.

Belmont, which is 5-0 all-time against the Cougars, shot a season-high 62 percent (32 of 52) from the field and outscored SIUE 50-28 in the paint.